Energy Concepts Overview

Energy

• Energy: The ability to do work or cause change.
• Work: The transfer of energy that occurs when a force is applied to an object and the object moves in the direction of the force. Work is measured in joules.
• Law of Conservation of Energy: A principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
• Kinetic Energy: Energy an object has due to its motion.
• Potential Energy: Stored energy based on an object's position or condition.
• Mechanical Energy: The total energy of motion and position of an object.
• Thermal Energy: Energy related to the temperature of an object, often referred to as heat energy.
• Electrical Energy: Energy caused by movement of charged particles (electrons).
• Radiant (Electromagnetic) Energy: Energy carried by electromagnetic waves, including light and X-rays.
• Sound Energy: Energy carried by sound waves.
• Gravitational Potential Energy: Energy stored due to an object's height and mass.
• Chemical Energy: Energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules.
• Nuclear Energy: Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom, released during nuclear reactions.
• Elastic Energy: Energy stored when an object is stretched or compressed.
• Second Law of Thermodynamics: A principle stating that systems naturally move toward increased disorder (entropy), and energy transfer always increases total entropy.

Renewable and Non-renewable Energy

• Renewable Energy: Energy that comes from sources that can be naturally replenished, such as sunlight, wind, and water.
• Nonrenewable Energy: Energy from sources that exist in limited quantities and cannot be replaced quickly, like fossil fuels.

Types of Fossil Fuels

• Fossil Fuels: Fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, including coal, oil, and natural gas.
• Oil: A liquid fossil fuel used for transportation and producing various products.
• Gas: A fossil fuel, often in the form of natural gas, used for heating and electricity.
• Coal: A solid fossil fuel primarily used for electricity generation.

Other Energy Sources

• Nuclear Power: Energy generated by splitting atoms, usually uranium, in a controlled nuclear reaction.
• Fission: The process of splitting the nucleus of an atom to release energy.
• Biofuel Power: Energy produced from organic materials like plants, crops, or waste.
• Geothermal Power: Energy generated from the heat stored within the Earth.
• Wind Power: Energy generated by harnessing the movement of air using turbines.
• Solar Power: Energy harnessed from sunlight using solar panels.
• Hydropower: Energy generated by the movement of water, usually through dams.

Electricity

• Electricity: The flow of electric charge, typically through a conductor, used to power devices.
• Negative Charge: An electrical property of particles (like electrons) having more electrons than protons.
• Positive Charge: An electrical property of particles having more protons than electrons.
• Static Electricity: The buildup of electric charge on the surface of an object due to friction.
• Conductor: A material that allows electricity to flow easily.
• Insulator: A material that does not allow electricity to flow easily.
• Current: The flow of electric charge through a conductor, measured in amps.
• Amps: The unit of measurement for electric current.
• Voltage: The electrical force or pressure that pushes electrons through a circuit, measured in volts.
• Volts: The unit of measurement for voltage.
• Resistance: The opposition to the flow of electric current in a material, measured in ohms.
• Ohm's Law: A rule stating that the current in a circuit equals the voltage divided by the resistance.
• Electromagnetic Induction: The process of generating electricity by moving a wire through a magnetic field.
• Series Circuit: A circuit where components are connected end to end, forming a single path for the current.
• Parallel Circuit: A circuit where components are connected in multiple paths, allowing current to flow through different branches independently.
• Battery: A device that stores chemical energy and converts it into electrical energy.
• Anode: The negative terminal of a battery where electrons flow out.
• Cathode: The positive terminal of a battery where electrons flow in.
• Electrolyte: A substance that allows ions to move between the anode and cathode.